New Zealand-Led Navies Conclude Counter Narcotics Operations In Middle East Waters
The New Zealand-led Combined Maritime Task Force 150 (CTF 150) has concluded counter narcotics operations in the Middle East.
Over the six-month period of command from the Royal New Zealand Navy's Commodore Rodger Ward, ships operating in direct support to CTF 150 conducted 55 boardings.
The boardings resulted in the seizure and destruction of 7 tonnes of narcotics with a combined street value of more than NZ$1.8 billion.
CTF 150 is one of five operational task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) based in Bahrain and is focussed on maritime security in the Middle East, in particular the disruption of drug smuggling operations.
The New Zealand-led team was supported by personnel from the militaries of Australia, Canada, India, Singapore and the United States, which contributed members to the headquarters.
'The strength of the CMF is the 46 nations working together with a common aim of enhancing and upholding the rules-based international system,' Commodore Ward said.
'In particular ensuring the freedom of the global maritime commons, the waters which allow our trade to flow safely from nation to nation.
'Our mission was anchored by four objectives: whakapono (trusted partners), mahi tahi (working together), kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and he heremana tatou (we are sailors). We based all of our operations and activities on these and they ensured that we got the most out of this opportunity.'
During the six-month period, CTF 150 conducted more boardings than over similar periods in previous years but found fewer drugs.
'The evidence of our success is not just the amount of drugs we interdicted,' Commodore Ward said.
'Our engagement with partners across the region indicates that the amount of narcotics we disrupted could be as much as three times that. CMF is focused on countering this illicit activity and the smugglers know that.'
Commodore Ward said he was proud of what the 26-strong multinational staff were able to achieve.
'We can all go home happy with the fruits of our labours.'
HMNZS Te Kaha was assigned to CTF 150 for a period of two months before leaving the region, and conducted a significant number of boardings during that time. The intelligence collected also resulted in the disruption of further smuggling operations.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
33 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Death of prisoner at Mt Eden Corrections Facility treated as homicide
Mt Eden Corrections Facility. Photo: RNZ Multiple investigations have been launched after a man died at Mt Eden Corrections Facility in Auckland. Police said they were made aware of the death at about 4pm on Friday after an 'incident' at the prison. Detective Inspector Greg Brand told RNZ the death of the man was being treated as a homicide. Do you know more? Email "Police were made aware at about 4pm yesterday of a man who had died at the prison following an incident," he said. "Officers continue to follow positive lines of inquiry." Mt Eden Corrections Facility is the main prison for newly remanded prisoners in the Auckland region. The Department of Corrections said the man's next of kin has been notified and all evidence will be given to the police. "Corrections will also carry out a full investigation," Mt Eden Corrections Facility general manager Dion Paki said. "As the prisoner was in a double-bunked cell, the second prisoner who was residing in the cell has been moved to a single-cell." Paki said Corrections was expressing "sincere condolences" to everyone affected. "We acknowledge this will be distressing for staff and other prisoners in the unit and we are providing people with support," he said. Paki said this included access to chaplains and any cultural support. The Inspectorate Office for the department, which operates independently, would also be investigating the death. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Prisoner dies at Mt Eden Corrections Facility
Mt Eden Corrections Facility. Photo: RNZ Multiple investigations have been launched after a man died at Mt Eden Corrections Facility in Auckland. Police said they were made aware of the death at about 4pm on Friday after an 'incident' at the prison. Detective Inspector Greg Brand told RNZ that police were looking into the circumstances of the death, and there are positive lines of enquiry. Do you know more? Email Mt Eden Corrections Facility is main prison for newly remanded prisoners in the Auckland region. The Department of Corrections said the man's next of kin has been notified and all evidence will be given to the police. "Corrections will also carry out a full investigation," Mt Eden Corrections Facility general manager Dion Paki said. "As the prisoner was in a double-bunked cell, the second prisoner who was residing in the cell has been moved to a single-cell." Paki said Corrections was expressing "sincere condolences" to everyone affected. "We acknowledge this will be distressing for staff and other prisoners in the unit and we are providing people with support," he said. Paki said this included access to chaplains and any cultural support. The Inspectorate Office for the department, which operates independently, would also be investigating the death. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Person dies after Tokoroa crash
The crash happened at midnight involving a vehicle and a pedestrian on Lomond Avenue. Photo: One person has died after a crash in Tokoroa overnight. The crash happened at midnight involving a vehicle and a pedestrian on Lomond Avenue. "Despite best efforts of emergency services, one person died at the scene," a police spokesperson said. The Serious Crash Unit has conducted a scene examination and a police investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the crash. The road was closed for a period of time, however reopened early this morning.
